Effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

In order to study the effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea, two field experiments were conducted in the factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in Dezful and Mashhad, Iran in 2015. The experimental treatments were combinations of desert dust in three levels (0, 500 and 1500 µg m^?3), numbers of desert dust application (once, twice and thrice) and two types of desert dust. The desert-dust particles were collected during dust storms occurred in Dezful and Zabol, which are the main sources of dust in Iran. The results showed that the biological yield and the grain yield were significantly decreased in both studied sites (Dezful and Mashhad) when the plants exposed to 500 µg m^?3 desert dust treatment compared to normal conditions. Total soluble sugar and proline contents in plant leaf tissues increased significantly when they affected by 1500 µg m^?3 of desert dust, while the plant height was significantly decreased by increasing the desert-dust concentrations at both sites. Biological yield, grain yield, and 100-seed weight were also significantly affected by the desert dust. Overall, the desert dust has adverse effects on yield of cowpea.     

Interaction study of biochar with phosphate-solubilizing bacterium on phosphorus availability in calcareous soil

A large proportion of phosphate fertilizer applied to calcareous soils reacts with calcium. Changes in soil phosphorus (P) availability after single application of biochar and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria have been reported. However, interaction of biochar (increasing soil pH) and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (decreasing soil pH) on P availability in calcareous soil is not well known. An incubation experiment was conducted to study how the interactive effects of biochars (produced from wheat straw and cow manure at 300°C and 500°C with residence time of 1, 3 and 6 h) at different rates (0, 5 and 10 t ha^?1) and phosphate-solubilizing Pseudomonas sp. IS8b2 affected on content of soil available P after 0, 60, 120 and 180 days of incubation (DOI) in a calcareous soil. After 60 DOI, the maximum value of available P (50.31 mg kg^?1) was observed in the compound treatment of Pseudomonas sp. IS8b2 and wheat straw biochar (10 t ha^?1) produced at 500°C with residence time of 3 h. We conclude that the combination use of wheat straw biochar and phosphate-solubilizing bacterium is promising to potentially improve soil P availability in calcareous soil, but further research at field scale is needed to confirm this.     

Soil aggregate stability and organic matter as affected by land-use change in central Iran

This study aimed to evaluate the soil aggregate stability and selected soil quality indicators in various land uses in a semiarid region in central Iran. Random soil sampling was used to collect soil samples from surface (0–5 cm) and subsurface (5–25 cm) soil layers in rangelands of different condition classes, dry farmland and abandoned land. The aggregate size distribution indices including mean weight diameter (MWD), geometric mean diameter (GMD) and median diameter (D₅₀) of water-stable aggregates in the collected soil samples were measured. Our findings showed that percent of macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) of the surface and subsurface layers in rangelands of different condition classes were significantly higher than dry farmlands and abandoned lands (P < 0.05). Results showed that the trend of changes in soil organic matter was similar to soil aggregate stability in different land uses in both soil layers as follows: rangeland with good condition > rangeland with poor condition > abandoned land > dry farmlands. The structural stability indices (i.e. MWD, GMD and D₅₀) of rangelands with good condition were significantly greater than other land uses (P < 0.05). This highlights the importance of maintaining native rangeland to prevent organic matter loss, structure deterioration and soil erosion.     

Effect of photoperiod and feeding frequency on growth and feed utilization of fingerlings Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)

The effects of photoperiod (12L:12D and 18L:6D) and feeding frequency (three, four and five evenly spaced daily feedings) of 10% biomass per day during light hours on growth and stress response of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fingerlings were evaluated. The interaction between photoperiod and feeding frequency was not significant (P>0.05). Faster growth was observed in fish exposed to an 18L:6D photoperiod (P<0.01). The feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was also better with an 18L:6D photoperiod (P<0.05). Fish fed four and five meals per day grew similarly (P>0.05) and faster than when fed only three meals (P<0.01). The FCE with four or five meals per day was better than with three meals (P<0.05). At harvest, the proximate composition was similar in all treatments (P>0.05). Stress indicators (cortisol, glucose and haematocrit) did not differ between photoperiods (P<0.05). The results showed that 0.9–8.0 g Persian sturgeon fingerlings should be reared with an 18L:6D photoperiod and fed four times per day to obtain good growth and FCE.     

Effects of olive pomace on growth performance,digestibility, body composition and fatty acid profile in yearling Siberian sturgeon,Acipenser baerii (Brandt 1896)

Replacement of olive pomace (OP) with wheat flour in diet was studied in diet of yearling Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). Fish (165 ± 6.8 g) were randomly allocated to 15 fibreglass tanks (15 fish/tank, in triplicate). Fish were assigned to one of five dietary treatments at 19.1 ± 1.5°C for 8 weeks: control diet (crude protein and crude lipid at 514.6 and 188 g/kg_, respectively) and four experimental diets with 20, 50, 75 and 100 g/kg OP to replace wheat flour in the experimental diets. No significant difference was observed in the final weight, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, hepatosomatic index, viscera‐somatic index and survival rate among the treatments (p > 0.05). No change was seen in digestibility of protein and lipid in diets containing 20 g/kg and 50 g/kg OP compared to control group, while these values decreased with increasing in OP above 50 g/kg. Digestibility of dry matter and gross energy among the treatments demonstrated no significant difference (p > 0.05). Polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially C22:6n3 (DHA), in the muscle of the fish fed 75 g/kg and 100 g/kg OP in diets were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). These data show that OP could be recommended as a substitute for wheat flour in diet of S. sturgeon but its utilization for other species warranted future works.     

Potential of blended organic acids to improve performance and health of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis

Organic acids (OA) and their blends have been shown to positively affect performance and health of broilers. However, the data in the literature are not consistent. This study examined the potential of blended short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) with medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) on performance, health and welfare of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis (NE). The additives used were: A) a blend of SCFA, MCFA, and a phenolic compound (SMP); B) a blend of free and buffered SCFA with MCFA (SMF); C) a blend of free and buffered SCFA with a high concentration of MCFA (SHM). A total of 1,404 Ross 308 one-day-old male parental chicks were randomly distributed into 78-floor pens with 13 replicates of 18 birds each. Six treatments were the following: T1, unchallenged control (UCC); T2, challenged control (CHC); T3, challenged group plus zinc bacitracin (BAC); T4, challenged group plus additive SMP; T5, challenged group plus additive SMF; T6, challenged group plus additive SHM. Challenged birds were gavaged with Eimeria spp. on d 9 and Clostridium perfringens EHE-NE18 on d 14. Post NE challenge and cumulatively, BWG, FCR, and nutrient digestibility of birds were compromised (P < 0.05) by NE challenge indicating a successful induction of sub-clinical NE. Additive SHM had higher BWG compared to CHC and BAC groups (P = 0.001; d 10 to 24) but not different from SMP and SMF groups (P > 0.05). All the 3 additive groups had lower FCR compared to CHC (P = 0.001; d 0 to 35), and exhibited similar jejunal lesions (d 16) compared to BAC and apparent ileal protein digestibility (d 21) compared to UCC and BAC groups (P > 0.05). Birds in additive SHM group had a higher concentration of serum IgA compared to all groups (P = 0.001) except additive SMF (P > 0.05; d 21). All the additive groups had lower footpad dermatitis and hock burns compared to CHC (P < 0.05). The findings suggest the potential of blended OA as alternatives to BAC to protect broilers from NE indicated by improved FCR, immunity, digestibility, and bird welfare.